Before You Apply

All applicants to Dalhousie University’s Masters of Science in Physiotherapy are required to complete a mandatory 90-minute computer-based test (Casper), to assist with our selection process. Successful completion of Casper is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility. Click here for more information. Click here for upcoming dates.

Applicants must hold a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent in any field of study from a recognized academic institution.

The School encourages applicants from diverse academic backgrounds to consider physiotherapy and apply for the program. There are prerequisite courses that must be attained in Physiology, Anatomy, Statistics, Life Sciences, along with Languages, Humanities and/or Social Sciences.

The GPA required for admission is determined from the last 60 credit hours of the undergraduate degree. The minimum GPA is 3.3 or letter grade of B+.

A minimum of forty hours of non-paid community volunteering experience (not necessarily in the area of physiotherapy) in the last two years is required.

To be completed during an undergraduate degree and/or prior to admission:

• "Human” Physiology (6 credit hours) Equivalent to PHYL 1011.03 &  PHYL 1012.03: Human Physiology 1 & 2.
  
• “Human” Anatomy (3 credit hours) Equivalent to ANAT 1010.03 Anatomy must cover gross anatomy of the human musculoskeletal, visceral and neurological systems
  
• Statistics (3 credit hours) Examples include Statistics, Research Methods, Research Design
  
• Languages/Humanities and/or Social Sciences requirements are Sociology, Philosophy, Languages and Contemporary Studies (6 credit hours with at least 3 credit hours in Psychology).
  
• Life Sciences (3 credit hours) Examples include Biology, Chemistry, Cell Biology, Bio- chemistry, Biophysics, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering

The admissions committee strongly recommends that one or more courses in Physics and/or Biomechanics of Human Movement be taken in preparation for studies in Physiotherapy at Dalhousie University

To determine equivalent courses from other universities, go to Dalhousie Online: Transfer Credit Equivalencies OR contact the appropriate Dalhousie Department.
(See www.dalonline.dal.ca)

Note: Applicants completing prerequisite courses during the admission year must include proof of registration with their application and final transcripts for these courses must be received by June 1st. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

Note: Our Admissions Application submission process opens in September each year. The below information will prepare you for what is required at the time.

The School of Physiotherapy must receive the following:

• Record of completed CASPer test (NOTE: CASPer testing ends prior to the January 31st deadline. Make sure to check CASPer testing dates well in advance.)
  
• Completed School Online Supplementary Application Form (posted in our Admissions Package) by January 10.
• Volunteer Confirmation Letter(s) January 17th.
• Email official transcripts from ALL universities attended directly from the Registrar of your home institution to ptadmissions@dal.ca by January 24th.
• Two Academic Confidential Reference Letters.* A work reference from someone who may comment objectively on your goals may be included in addition to the two required academic references. January 31st.
• English Language Competency test results (if applicable, see Graduate Studies Admissions Requirements).
• Proof of registration of outstanding prerequisite courses.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies must receive the following:

• Online Graduate Application Form and $115 application fee by December 1.

• Must hold an appointment at an Academic Institution
• Must have completed a Masters Degree (non-professional) or higher
• Must have experience teaching, marking and grading students
• Must include their email associated with their academic institution
  

Although immunization is not required until accepted into the MSc PT program. It is important to know that all applicants will be required to sign a Statement of Compliance regarding these requirements.

Before participating in site visits or clinical placements, students must be appropriately immunized as follows:

• Diphtheria-tetanus
• Rubella
• Measles
• Mumps
• Hepatitus B
• Varicella
• Tuberculosis skin tests

Note: In some cases, even though students have received the series of Hepatitis B immunisations in childhood, immunity is lost over the years.  It is required that students, get tested for Hepatitis B antibodies to determine their immune status.  If they are no longer immune, and need to redo the Hepatitis B series they will need to get a vaccination, then a booster in 1 month and a third shot 6 months later. One month after the 3rd shot serology is repeated and it is determined that the student is either immune or a "non-responder". This is an eight month process, and during those eight months students are not able undertake any clinical experiences outside of the school.

Serology and CRC/VSS records must be dated no earlier that 6 months prior to the September start date.

A recent satisfactory criminal record check, including a vulnerable sector survey, and a valid CPR certificate are also required.

There are a variety Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards offered as funding sources for the MScPT program, including the James Robinson Johnston Graduate Scholarship for African Canadians, The African Nova Scotian Graduate Scholarship, the Indigenous Graduate Scholarship. See complete list of Funding Sources. Check with Faculty of Graduate Studies for important deadlines.

The Faculty of Health recognizes that deliberate Equitable Admissions processes are required to increase the support and admission, and graduation of students who self-identify as belonging to historically underrepresented groups: persons of Aboriginal/Indigenous ancestry (especially Mi’kmaq), members of racialized groups, persons of African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), Acadians, persons with dis/Abilities, and persons belonging to minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity (SOGI) groups.

The School of Physiotherapy has developed a specific admission pathway for those applicants who self-identify under Equitable Admission. You must self-identify on our supplementary application form, to be considered for admission under these pathways.

Applicants who self-identify as Atlantic Canadian Black or Atlantic Canadian Indigenous and meet all eligibility requirements will be recommended for admission to the MScPT program. For Atlantic Canadian Black or Atlantic Canadian Indigenous applicants there is no limited number of seats for admission. Applicants in this pathway are also eligible for consideration for specific Scholarships.

For those applicants who self-identity under SOGI, persons with disabilities, Acadians, and applicants who identify as a member of a racialized group (other than Atlantic Canadian Black or Atlantic Canadian Indigenous) there will be five (5) designated seats dedicated to each of these under-represented population groups.

We offer a limited number of seats for non-Atlantic Canadian applicants. Currently, there are four (4) seats designated for applicants from non-Atlantic Canadian provinces.